Sandra Marinković, Merck Sharpe & Dohme

We Are Bringing New Hope For Cancer Patients

Merck Sharpe & Dohme is an innovative global leader in the health sector that is dedicated to improving health and well-being of people around the world via innovative medicines, vaccines and biological therapies

We are dedicated to the values that our company promotes under the slogan “Inventing for Life” and will continue to work on improving the efficiency and quality of healthcare in the best interests of the citizens of Serbia.

Merck Sharpe & Dohme (aka Merck in the United States) is one of the largest American and global innovative pharmaceutical companies. Towards which areas of therapy is your research orientated?

Over the course of 125 years, MSD has contributed significantly to the medicine we’re witnessing today with its numerous discoveries, among which was the first effective anti-tuberculotic, invention of the first statin, the discovery of a human papillomavirus virus vaccine that prevents cervical cancer, but what we are especially proud of is the introduction of a new class of medicines that represents a revolution in the treatment of malignant diseases.

In 2015, Global HealthCare ranked immune- oncology as the number one treatment in the TOP 10 medicines which promise to save lives, with its unique mechanism of action which does not target the tumour, but rather the immune system of the organism. This therapy has already been registered for some of the most serious malignant diseases, such as malignant melanoma and lung cancer, while its effect on other types of tumours is still being researched, in the hope that it will help make cancer a chronic illness rather than a fatal disease.

MSD is focused on research and production of a wide range of products for the prevention and treatment of some of the most serious diseases. How would you describe operations of a major American pharmaceutical company in Serbia?

In parallel to numerous activities in the field of educating healthcare workers on the latest diagnostic and therapeutic trends, we are putting a lot of efforts in ensuring that the innovative therapies are not only being registered on our market, but rather recognised as affordable and available to Serbian citizens under the mandatory health insurance.

MSD is committed to helping resolve social problems, primarily through philanthropic activities and various CSR activities that include donation of medicines, the provision of direct assistance to patients, public-private partnerships and the availability of high quality medical procedures with a total value exceeding $20 million.

Innovative medicines, in addition to extending life and reducing mortality, also improve productivity, reduce work absenteeism for patients and their family members, as well as contribute to the growth of gross national income

Limited funding for medicines had an impact on the slower introduction of innovative therapies to Serbian patients in previous years. To what extent does this impact your company’s operations?

Serbia is lagging behind EU countries and the region when it comes to the availability of innovative medicines, despite positive developments we’ve seen at the end of 2016 and in the middle of this year. We are encouraged by the fact that the Serbian Health Ministry and the National Health Insurance Fund also agree that it is necessary to increase financial allocation for innovative medicines, in order to catch up with European countries when it comes to introducing prioritized innovative therapeutic options.

MSD also advocates, within the framework of industrial associations like the American Chamber of Commerce, for the Serbian state to recognise that health and pharmaceutical sector are crucial investment that promotes economic development.

To move forward with the reform agenda in an effective and sustainable manner, we need to strengthen the competence and efficiency of Serbian institutions. AmCham is ready and willing to partner the state in this endeavour

I’m delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to CorD’s publication recognizing the close ties and productive partnership between Serbia and the United States of America. Our two countries share a historical alliance, benefit from today’s productive collaboration, and I look forward to even closer ties in the future

We believe that Serbia's best economic future lies with the European Union and the West. Therefore we strongly support Serbia's strategic goal of joining the EU, and we work closely with the government to help Serbia achieve its goal

USAID assistance during the past five years has helped Serbia adopt and implement regulations that make it easier for businesses to operate and prosper in Serbia. We intend to continue promoting this kind of initiative

In our 17 years of cooperation with the government, we have successfully changed over 150 regulations and processes aimed at improving the business environment. The most important factors for these successes have been the openness of the government and their constructive approach to possible solutions

Today, more than ever before, companies depend on innovation. Depending on the company, innovation might be expressed through digital transformation, upgrades to the cloud, the move from machine yearning to machine learning, autonomous everything, artificial intelligence, the Internet of things, blockchain, and many other innovative technologies. They are all recognized as top strategic CIO priorities for 2018

Real estate management is the basic area of activity and expertise of Novaston Asset Management, which also provides additional consulting services for major purchases. Thanks to their cooperation with large companies and investment funds, the real estate market in Serbia is again experiencing its own golden years

Rising from a 200-dollar loan to the largest beverage can producer, it has been 138 years since the Ball brothers’ founded Ball Corporation, and in that period the company has grown into a global leader, operating on four continents and employing more than 18,000 people

Fresh fruit and vegetables are an integral part of every spread on the table during hot summer days. Although it is advisable – due to your body’s needs – to increase your consumption of fruit and vegetables during summer, you should be cautious when buying such produce and carefully check the source of the foods you buy, because you can’t always be sure that the fruits and vegetables on offer meet all quality standards

Mastercard is a company with experience, technology and know-how that can positively contribute to fight against the grey economy in several regional markets, and the company is supporting its partners in expanding the payment network

Atlantic Grupa, which employs in excess of 5,300 workers in the region and 12 other countries around the world, has - after 27 years of efficient and sustainable operations - become one of the largest and most successful food companies in the region, and a significant player on the European and global markets

Belgrade will this mid-August host the international ’Basketball Without Borders’ (BWB) camp, which is traditionally organised by the World Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the American National Basketball Association (BNA), which is just one of the fruits of the joint “masterpiece” of the long-serving FIBA secretary general and NBA commissioner

The Naumović & Partners Law Office has been handling the most complex and challenging legal issues for twenty years, with its clients including some of the world’s largest companies. Focused on corporate and contract law, information technology and intellectual property rights - areas in which only the best survive

The City of Zrenjanin is expanding its industrial zones, as the existing ones are almost completely occupied and potential investors are seeking larger plots. Some of them are already expressing their intention to later expand their business premises and operations, due to them planning their long-term presence and development in our city

Merck Sharpe & Dohme is an innovative global leader in the health sector that is dedicated to improving health and well-being of people around the world via innovative medicines, vaccines and biological therapies